UNIONVILLE, Pa.--The Pennsylvania Hunt Cup has been called off because the drought tin southeastern Pennsylvania has made the ground too hard to hold the races safely.
This is the first time since 1963 that the Hunt Cup has not been held.
The Hunt Cup was first run in 1921 over a course in Whitemarsh , Pa., and was held annually untiil1943, when it was cancelled in 1943, 1944 and 1945 due to World War II.
There was no race in 1951, and then there was no racing from 1954 to 1963, after the Hunt Cup lost its grounds in Whitemarsh.
The race moved to the present location in Unionville in 1964, where it has been held annually since.
Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Races sent out the following announcement;
DEAR PENNSYLVANIA Hunt Cup Fans,
After serious consideration, Michael and Anne Moran and the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Committee (PHCC) have made the very difficult decision to call off the 90th Running of the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup due to unsafe ground conditions. The lack of rain over the past two months has left the ground overly hard, posing an increased risk of serious injury to both horses and riders. While this was not an easy choice, we believe it is essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone involved.
The Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Committee is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization raising funds for our main beneficiary, the Chester County Food Bank, along with other worthy organizations serving our community. The cancellation complicates our mission to provide much-needed charitable support. With no races, the Committee is obligated to return funds provided for sponsorships, parking, and advertising if requested. However, we hope you will allow these funds to remain with us, supporting our gifts to our beneficiaries. Your gifts will be tax-deductible, and you will receive a donation receipt from PHCC. We will keep you informed of the support provided to our charitable partners.
For those who purchased tickets, we will reach out soon with an offer for a refund or the option to donate your ticket fee to the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup. We are currently researching the best way to facilitate this process and will be in touch with further details.
Thank you for your loyal support over the years, your patience, and your understanding.